Our Learning

Hello and welcome to Year 1!

Our topic this term for Year 1 is “Growing”. This will include a science focus of learning about basic parts of the human body, senses and finding out about plants and trees, seasons, and change. These first weeks are very much a time of transition from Reception and the children will continue to have a lot of time choosing and following their own interests in the areas of provision, exploring, and learning for themselves. Each day we will also spend time on phonics, maths and English as well as covering a range of subjects linked to our topic across the week.

Our aim is to make all our learning as fun and practical as possible. In line with the National Curriculum, English in Year 1 includes speaking and listening, phonics, reading, writing, spelling, and handwriting. We will continue to have a daily phonics lesson, often focusing on a new sound each week. In writing sessions, we will be focusing on writing lists, labels and simple sentences connected to our topic, often using books and experiences as a starting point. In maths we will be continuing to use the White Rose materials to cover the Year 1 objectives related to number and place value within 10, addition and subtraction within 10 and developing learning on 2D and 3D shapes. In history we will be thinking about the children’s own timeline and events within their living memory as they grow up. In geography we will be thinking about the weather and developing simple map skills and directional language involving the school grounds including the nature garden and orchard to look for things that are growing. We shall also explore religious and cultural celebrations including Harvest, Diwali, Advent and Christmas and thinking how and why we celebrate special events. Art sessions will focus on colour and drawing and link to our topic work on growing and we will extend this in Computing sessions using drawing and painting software to make pictures and cards. At the end of the term, we will develop our DT (design and technology) skills to make a card with a moving part. As part of our PSHCE curriculum we shall be exploring the themes “Feeling good and being me” (recognising and naming emotions) and ‘Life changes’ (new classes and new friends). In our music sessions we will be learning about pulse, rhythm and pitch using the Leeds Charanga music scheme. In the second half of the term, we shall practise and perform a musical nativity. In PE we will be keeping fit and active with a mix of dance, gymnastics, and team games.